I teach kung fu and self-defense at Seven Star Women’s Kung Fu
What do you do? I teach kung fu and self-defense at Seven Star Women’s Kung Fu, a nonprofit women’s martial arts school founded in 1981.
How did you get that job? I started at Seven Star in 1983, just a year and a half after the school was founded by my first teacher, Anne Moon. I stuck with it until I was the highest-ranking student when my teacher retired, so I inherited the school!
What’s a typical day like? Depending on the day, I schedule self-defense classes and assistants, email about kung-fu school business, go all over [to schools, business, homeless shelters, etc.] to teach self-defense classes and teach kung fu at our school.
What’s the best part of your work? Seeing the amazing transformation of students as they start to feel more confident in their lives. The confidence comes from learning skills and feeling empowered by the knowledge and physical experience. Then, hearing stories about how they have used the skills in their everyday lives.
What surprises people about your work? That we have a thriving, successful, women-only school for kung fu. That we will teach self-defense for no charge for those who can’t afford it.